Abstract A contact fuser assembly for use in an electrostatic reproducing apparatus including an internally heated metal core cooperating with a resilient backup roll to form a nip through which substrates carrying toner images are moved with the toner images contacting the metal core. The fuser assembly is characterized by the provision of a sump of release agent material which material coats the fuser roll structure. A polymer covered cleaning member immersed in a mini-sump containing some of the release agent material contacts the fuser roll structure for removing nonvisual toner and other contaminates offset thereto during the reproduction process. The mini-sump is removably disposed in a larger sump and serves to prevent contamination of the main sump.
Fuser apparatus for fixing toner images to support members, said apparatus comprising: a heated metal fuser member; a resilient member cooperating with said metal fuser member to form a nip through which said support members pass in order to soften said toner images; a first sump containing release agent material to be coated on said metal fuser member; a second sump smaller in size than said first sump and disposed within an area delineated by said first sump, said second sump also containing release agent material; and means for cleaning toner particles from said fuser members, said cleaning member being disposed in said second sump whereby the toner particles removed from said fuser member are prevented from contaminating the release agent material contained in said first sump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Fuser apparatus for fixing toner images to support members, said apparatus comprising: a heated metal fuser member; a resilient member cooperating with said metal fuser member to form a nip through which said support members pass in order to soften said toner images; a first sump containing release agent material to be coated on said metal fuser member; a second sump smaller in size than said first sump and disposed within an area delineated by said first sump, said second sump also containing release agent material; and means for cleaning toner particles from said fuser members, said cleaning member being disposed in said second sump whereby the toner particles removed from said fuser member are prevented from contaminating the release agent material contained in said first sump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second sump is removably disposed within said area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cleaning member comprises a polymer material on the surface thereof that is tacky at the operating temperature of the fuser apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said release Agent material comprises polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said fuser member is internally heated and said support member moves through said nip with said toner images contacting said fuser member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said members comprise roll structures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said fuser member comprises a copper outer surface.